Inking mechanism for printing-machines



(No Model.) 2 Shets-Sheet 1.

J. W. OSBORNE.

INKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES. No. 317,844.. Patented May 12, 1885.

2 t e e h S S t e e h S 2 E N n 0 B S 0 u (No Model.)

INKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MAOHINES.

Patented Ma 'lz, 18-85.

i \K {J Ummws N. PFIER$. Fholo-Lilhognbhcr, Wauhinglon, D. C.

lUNirnn Snares JOHN w. OSBORNE, OF WASHINGTON,

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM H. FORBES, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

INKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 317,844, dated May 12, 1885.

Application filed November 2, 1883. (N model.) 7

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. OSBORNE, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at Washington, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Inking Mechanism for Printing-llIachines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention is related to the various devices by which printing-ink in proper quantity is carried from the vessel containing a supply of the same and applied properly to the form from which impressions are to be printed.

Its object is to accomplish the inking of the forms in certain kinds of chromatic presses belonging to the rotary type, which present peculiar difficulties, and it is especially designed to effect the proper inking of the forms in a chromatic press belonging to said class, for which I have filed a specification and application for patent of even date herewith. The present device is in whole or in part ap- I plicable to other machines which differ-from that just referred to.

In the drawings which form part of this specification, Figure 1 shows in plan a group of form-rollers with their riders. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same and of the inkfountain and duck-roller, parts being omitted for clearness of illustration. Fig. 3 is a crosssection of the revolving bed and frame on line 1 1, and a side elevation of the rollers, fountain, 8m; and Fig. 4 shows detached views of the roller-bearing o.

In the drawings my invention is shown as applied to a rotary press with flat annular bed a, supported on the conical anti-friction rollers b, which run in bearings resting upon the frame 0. The bed a revolves horizontally about a geometrical center which lies in the plane of the bearers h, with reference to which it is carefully centered by means of the ad- 5 justable guide-rollers d, which control its inner edge. It is driven in the direction shown by the arrow by suitable mechanism. The printing of the forms (not shown) which are placed face up upon the bed a, between the 50 bearers h, is accomplished by one or more impression-cones or conic frustums which, together with the feed and delivery apparatus, are not shown, but will be found described in the application already referred to.

The form-rollers 0, as will be seen, are conical in shape, all their axes and their converging lines meeting in the geometrical center. The same is true of the riders s and of the duckrollers t=when the latter is in contact with a rider. The fountain-roller a is also the frusturn of a cone, the relation between the diameters of its larger and smaller ends being the same as that of one of the form rollers or riders; but it is not inclined as they are, (which would cause the ink to flow out at the low end,) but has its axis supported in a horizontal position.

From the fountain the duck t transports the necessary quantity of ink to one of the riders s, in a mannerto be fully described hereinafter, and from that it covers the form-rollers and is by them applied to the forms. The form-rollers of any one group in such a press have to remain supported over the annular bed until the form to which they belong comes under them, and after it' has passed they again rise out of the way of all the others, and the rollers of another group fall to ink another form with a different color. The rise and fall for this purpose is very slight, (about oneeighth of an inch;) but it should take place with much precision, and in such a manner that each individual roller is down to the proper level before the leading edge of the form strikes it. In like manner each individual roller should rise immediately after it has left the form.

In the drawings only three form-rollers are shown in a group but a larger number will frequently be used, and as the several forms 0 are only separated by short distances on the bed, it is plain that the precision with which the form-rollers move is a matter of much consequence.

I accomplish the successivemovements of 5 the form-rollers and of the riderslying upon them in the following way: The spindle of each of the rollers 0 runs in a long movable bearing, 1;, the form of which is made clear by the drawings. The middle of the same, which is rco square outside, drops in the recess in the camrod 10, its lower part resting on the cross-piece w, which is raised and lowered in its slat (indicated by dotted lines) by the screw 00, which passes through and fits an inside screw tapped in the cross-piece. For each rider there is a link, consisting of two parts, y and z. The lower part, 1, embraces the outside cylindrical extensions of the long bearing a, and may, if desired, be permanently connected with the same, but in such a manner that it swings on the bearing about its true axis. The upper piece, a, is united with y by means of a very strong screw with fine pitch, and forms a halfbearing for the spindle of the rider 8 to rest in. V

This upper part of the link lies against the convex head of the stout screw or in the adjacent cam-rod p, as will be distinctly seen in Fig. 2. By these contrivances the pressure of the form-rollers on the form may be accurately adjusted and modified, even while the press is running, by applying a key to the screw :0; and it may be here remarked that this method .of adjusting the form-rollers for size, shrinkage, &c., while it is an excellent one for presses of many kinds, is especially adapted for the inside bearings of the conical form-rollers used in the description of press herein described, because .byits use the necessary adjustments can be made for the small end of the roller by simply reaching across the bed and using a key from above to fit the head of the screw 05, whereby the necessity of getting inside the bed into the central space, which is much filled by machinery, and making the adjustments from below in the usual way is entirely obviated.

When any change takes place in the diameter of the form-rollers from wear or shrinkage, or when one or more new rollers are run with a number of old ones, it is clear that after they have been adjusted to the form the riders upon'them have then to be adjusted to the alteration. This is done by raising or lowering, as circumstances may require, the bearing for the rider, which is in the piece 2. This may be done-in the direction of the radius of either of the f0rm-rollers on which the rider rests. For onevof these directions the screw uniting the pieces y and z is used, and for the other the convex-headed screw (i Byemploying these two adjustments the resultant is always downward, but not necessarily perpendicular, which it will only be when two adjacent form-rollers are exactly the same size. At the same time thatthe position of the rider 8 is by these means adjusted, and its pressure upon the form-rollers increased or decreased, as may be deemed expedient, the bearing for its spindle is solidly supported, so that it is possible to drive the rider by means of a belt orfriction-chain without putting undue weight upon one end. That the riders should be driven is important, because, being of a constant size and driven at a constant rate, the surface speed of the form-rollers driven by contact with them, as shown, will also be confrom below over the pulleys 0 which is the method I prefer; butgearing can also be used successfully to do the same, as is the rule in a large number of printing-machines. In this arrangement,when the riders have to be lifted out of their bearings, each of the pulleys c (which is kept by a spline from turning on its spindle) is pushed over the stationary support ti and remains there till wanted. The vibration of the riders, by which the distribution of the ink is in great part effected, I accomplish in a way well known and understood.

The cam E, Fig. 3, causes the vibration of the arms f a fork on the upper end of which grasps the flange-collar 9 secured to thespindle of each rider, whereby the latter is moved to and fro in the direction of its length, the ink being thereby distributed continuously, whether the rollers be on the form or not.

The way in which motion is applied to the cam-rods p, as shown, is as follows: The shaft h, being driven by gearing about the center of the press, drives the pulley 6 directly, and the wheel j through the pinion 76*. The cams Z on the shaft of the wheelj lift and drop at the proper time the strut p, which unites the two rods 19 belonging to each roller. These rods slide against surfaces on the frame 0, held by the bolts g, which pass through oblong holes, and small wheels of equal size, m unite as many cam-shafts of this kind as there are rollers in use. The wheel j moreover drives the gear on the cam 6 In whatever way the cam-rods p are actuated, the effect produced is as follows: As the annular bed moves in the direction of the arrow, the first roller in the With set falls just before the form reaches it. it the rider falls also, swinging on the axis of the second roller. The second roller then falls and the rider swings back on the axis of the first roller, adjusting itself between the two, and so with all the rest. The moment the tail of the form leaves the first roller, the roller is lifted and the rider thrown over, then the second, and so each roller and rider is effected in succession, as before, and while all continue to revolve they remain lifted till again called upon to ink the form passing under them. It will be seen that the rollers never lose the inksupply they have in the riders, nor the stability which the weight of the riders gives them.

In Figs. 2 and 3 the fountain and duck roller are shown. The roller u in the former, as before stated, is conical, and. of such convergence that it will run in contactwith the duck t without slipping or grinding, as will also the latter when it drops on the raised rider 8 below it. This necessity for smooth running is one reason why the fountain-roller should be conical to give the best results; but another ends of the form-rollers than is required for the smaller ends, and though this difference could be approximated by the adjustment of the fountain-knife, yet a conical fountain-roll, more especially if it rotates continuously, aids such adjustment (which will still be necessary more or less) v'ery materially, and is a valuable improvement. At the same time the particular construction of the fountain as regards the knife, local control of the ink, &c., and supporting-frame is not insisted on, as it is not an essential part of the present invention.

As shown in the annexed drawings, heavy extensions from the base of the fountain-frame are carried out in both directions,for the purpose of furnishing solid abutments, to which the apparatus supporting and operating the duck-roller t can be made fast. This part of my invention is peculiar and requires description. In the case of ink-fountains in common use the duck-roller is swung into intermittent contact with the fountain-roll by two vibrating arms of equal length,made fast to a rock-shaft,which carry it in bearings at their ends. The same parts can be employed for the conical fountain herein described, if the arms be made of unequal length, so as to move one end of the duck-roller through a larger arc than the other. This method is a satis' factory one, and necessary when the ink-fountain is at some considerable distance from the group of rollers it is intended to supply; but when, as in the drawings, it can be supported sufficiently close, the most convenient arrangement is substantially that which I have shown and will now describe. The method used consists in supporting the large end of the duck in a bearing which admits of the rotatation and vibration of the revolving spindle, in making this hearing the center of oscillation, and in confining the arc movement entirely to the small end of the roller. To accomplish this the spindle of the duck-roller at the large end of the latter is run in the cylindrical bearing a, on which the transverse gudgeons 0 enable it to vibrate in a perpendicular plane in bearings provided for the same in the fork p. This fork is adjustable in every way for the purpose of placing the center of oscillation exactly where it ought to be with reference to both the fountain-roll and to the rider, between which it vibrates periodically.

The fork p may be adjusted vertically by screw p and laterally or longitudinally by shifting said screw in the mortise p in the support, said mortise being larger than the diameter of the screw. The screw is locked by nuts 12 19. It will be understood that but slight adjustment is required.

At the other end of the fountain the shaft q, coming from the source of power about the center of the machine, drives both the fountain-roll and also the split cam r with the help of the gearing shown. The arm 8 (with adjustable fulcrum) has at one end a small anti-friction roll, which receives the stroke of the cam r and is periodically depressed by it. The other end holds between its jaws by gudgeons the sliding hearing i in which the spindle of the duck-roller turns when the latter comes in contact either with the rider, (the same being then raised,) in which case it takes the position shown, or with the fountain-roll when it assumes the position indicated by the dotted lines.

The amount of ink which the duck-roll takes from the fountain depends, first, upon the position of the fountain-knife, and, secondly, upon the duration of the contact made by the duck-roller with the fountain-roller, which is determined by the adjustment of the parts of the splitlcam 0. The split cam is a feature well-known to mechanics, by which the bearing-surface of a cam may be increased or diminished by adjusting one part of the cam relatively to the other. After this contact (and immediately the form is inked) it falls upon the rider, thereby carrying over its increment of ink and then helping in the dis tribution.

If it should be thought best that the duck should deposit its ink directly upon a formroller, as is sometimes done, the fountain would then be placed at the other end of the series and lowered to a convenient position.

WVhat I claim is- 1. The combination,with two inking or form rolls, of a rider restingon both rolls, and links, as yz,connecting the bearings of the rider with the bearings of one only of the form-rolls, substantially as described. j

2. Two form or inking rolls, a rider resting on both rolls, links connecting the bearings of the rider with the bearings of one only of the fornrrolls, and mechanism,substantially as described, for adjusting the length of said links, all in combination, substantially as set forth.

3. Two form-rolls, a rider therefor-,links adjustable in length connecting the bearings of the rider with the bearings of one only of the form-rolls,and adjustable mechanism,substantially as described, for supporting the end of the links not connected with the form-rolls, all combined substantially as set forth.

4. Two form-rolls,a rider therefor, links adjustable in length connecting the bearings of the rider to the bearings of the form-rolls, adjustable mechanism, substantially as described, for sustaining the free ends of the links, and driving mechanism, substantially as described, for the rider, all combined substantially as stated.

5. The rods, as 19, two form-rolls sustained in adjustable bearings therein, a rider for said form-rolls, links adj ustable in length connecting the bearings of the rider to the bearings of one of the rolls, and adjusting mechanism, substantially as described, for sustaining the free ends of the links, all in combination substantially as set forth.

IIO

6. The cambination, with cams Z of the strut 1), vertical rods 1) p, and form-roll o, havingadjustable bearings on each rod 1), substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, with the rider 8, of driving-pulley c splined to the shaft thereof,

and bracket or pin (Z in line with said shaft, whereby the pulley may be slipped from the shaft of the rider to the supportingrpin and the rider readily removed, as set forth.

8. The combination, with a series of conical inking-rolls, of a conical duck-roll and mechanism, substantially as described, to move the inking-roll, giving to one end of the duck a greater range of movement than the other, as set forth.

10. The conical form-rolls, the conical rider,

the fountain, a conical duck roll supported in swiveled bearings at one end, and mechanism,

substantially as described, for swinging the other end of the duck-roll, all combined substantially as stated.

11. The fountain with its conical roll, the conical duck-roll having a swiveled support at one end of the fountain, and a cam and lever mechanism, substantially as described, at the other end of the fountain, combined as described, whereby the duckroll may have a greater range of movement at one end than at the other, substantially as set forth.

12. The fountain having swiveled support 0 p at one end, adjustable relatively to the fountain, the duck-ro1l having bearing therein, a lever at the other end of the fountain supporting the other end of the duck, and an adjustable cam and driving mechanism for operating said lever, all combined for operation, substantially as stated.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN W. OSBORNE.

\Vitnesses:

W. A. BARTLETT, J. .H. WARWICK. 

